Friends of Meals on Wheels

Friends of Meals on Wheels’ is a separate nonprofit, volunteer-based group, dedicated to the support of the Elderly Nutrition Program through fund-raising, community awareness, and volunteer outreach. Friends of Meals on Wheels is made up of 50 volunteers and a Board of Directors of up to 13 members. Due to the increasing need for meals for homebound elderly, and decreasing government assistance to meal programs, Friends of Meals on Wheels has become an integral partner in raising funds for the Elderly Nutrition Program. Funds are raised through three events. The annual fall event is the Walkathon held in November at the County Fair Mall, Woodland. This is a fun filled event inside the mall, where over 100 people of all ages enjoy walking laps, entertainment, food and prizes. 15 volunteers plan and work on this event. The annual winter event is the Holiday Home tour, held in December at many homes in Woodland. This has a Dickens in the Valley” theme where holiday enthusiasts tour  6-8 homes decorated in holiday splendor. There are 50 volunteers that help with this event and up to 500 attendees. The annual spring event is the Epicurean Esprit, held in May, at a prestigious home in Davis or Woodland. This is a fine cuisine and wine tasting event held outdoors in a garden party setting. There are 30 volunteers that help with this event and over 800 attendees. Last year Friends of Meals on Wheels raised and donated more than $62,000 to ENP to purchase food and needed commercial kitchen equipment. Our sincere thanks to Friends of Meals on Wheels!

 

Annual Events

Miles for Meals Walkathon

Annual event held in November inside County Fair Mall, Woodland. A 2 hour event where participants walk the length of the mall while enjoying entertainment, food and prizes.

Help is needed in the following areas: Chairperson, Prizes and Prize Categories, Recruitment and Mailing, Public Relations/Advertisement, Entertainment/Volunteers, Food/Refreshments, Registration,  Sponsorship, and Site Logistics.

Time commitment: Bi-monthly meetings from mid-August until the date of the event in mid-November.

Holiday Home Tour

Annual event held in December showcasing tours through  6-8 beautiful homes decorated in holiday splendor.

Help is needed in the following areas: Chairperson, Sponsorship, Publicity, Designing & Printing, Volunteers & Docents, Ticket Sales, Site Logistics, Secretary, Transportation/Parking, Refreshments, Bio-graphics, Setup/Clean Up.

Time commitment: Bi-monthly meetings from mid-September until date of the event in mid-December.

Epicurean Esprit

An annual spring fine cuisine and wine tasting event held outdoors in a prestigious home in Davis or Woodland.

Help is needed in the following categories: Chairperson, Sponsorship, Restaurant Recruitment, Wineries/Brewery Recruitment, Beverage Recruitment Publicity, Site Logistics, Decorations, Volunteer Coordination, Ticket Sales, Secretary, Transportation/Parking, Printing, Setup/Clean up.

Time Commitment: Bi-monthly meetings from January until the day of the event in mid May.

For more information regarding these events, the organization or membership, please call (530) 662-7035.

Epicurean Esprit Was A Huge Success

Friends of Meals on Wheels along with hosts Anita & Dave Long of Davis, hosted the 18th annual Epicurean Esprit, a food and wine tasting event benefiting the Elderly Nutrition Program.  There were a variety of delicacies offered by 51 restaurants, caterers, wineries, and beverage distributors.  Over 94 business, service groups, and individuals sponsored the event and 43 businesses and individuals donated items for the silent auction.  Over 625 people attended the festivities.

Like all nonprofit organizations with growing needs, ENP depends on the support of its communities for fund-raising and donations.  Over the years, government funding  provides less and less to a program that means so much to our seniors and their families.

Almost $40,000 was raised this year!

Major sponsors were: Van Beurden Insurance Services, The Daily Democrat, W.H. Roth Trust, Strelitzia Flower Co., ASB Properties, Davis Waste Removal Co., Edible Sacramento, Gayle Manufacturing Co., The Holman Family, Richland Planned Communities, Catholic Healthcare West, STL Sacramento and Waste Management of Woodland.

Your generosity has made a difference in the lives of seniors in our community.

 Walkathon Fundraiser Fun

Over 100 people donated their time to walk for seniors on Saturday, November 4, 2006, at the County Fair Mall, during the 18^th Annual Miles for Meals Walkathon.

Gary Sandy, past Mayor of Woodland, served as master of ceremonies for the two hour event. Music, by Sierra Sound played over loudspeakers while walkers of every age made tracks around the quarter mile long mall. They were greeted by Ben Alley & Bubbles the Clowns, from Shriners Ben Ali Temple. The Walkathon earned $10,000 to benefit the Meals on Wheels Program. Walkers were treated to a continental breakfast, a complimentary T-shirt, and prizes donated by over 30 local businesses.

Grand Prize Winners for the most money pledged were Marie Heilman of Winters and Parker Russell of Woodland, who won bicycles from B&L and Foy's Bike Shops. The group winner for most money pledged was Beta Sigma Phi-Preceptor Omicron of Woodland. Others won prizes in categories for most laps walked and the oldest walker.

Sponsors for the event were: County Fair Mall, National Town and Valley Properties, Souza's Lettering & Design, Cache Creek Casino Resort, Yolo Federal Credit Union, Century 21-Trongo & Assoc., Re Max of Woodland, Studio 66 Design, Daily Democrat, Sacramento Valley Farm Credit, Tom & Meg Stallard, NVB Business Bank, Palm Gardens Senior Living, Woodland.Net & Davis Ace Hardware.

Homes on Tour for the Holidays 

“Dickens in the Valley,” Holiday Home Tour on December 2nd 2006 showcased six beautiful Woodland homes dressed in holiday splendor.  This fifth annual event was created as an additional fundraiser for Meals On Wheels to help offset ongoing budget deficits.

Featured homes included, the NielsenHome, Morgan Home, Rickard Home, Hollis Home, Wetzel Home, & the Nadreau Home. 

Over 350 people toured leisurely from home to home and helped to raise over $10,000. Entertainment was provided by Cleve Baker. Many folks were dressed in “Dickens” period costume.  Ebenezer Scrooge was also in the crowd. 

Complimentary refreshments were served by Timothy’s Bakery, Bakers Delight, Cracchiolo’s Catering, Raley’s, Tazzina Bistro, Safeway, and Nugget Market, Pureroast Coffee Co., and Peets Coffee. And a free shuttle service was available through Palm Gardens, running every 20 minutes. 

Sponsors were The Daily Democrat, Kiwanis Club of Woodland, Richland Planned Communities, University Park, Palm Gardens, Vic Bucher Accountancy, V. Santoni & Co., River City Bank, Ultra Limousine, Main Event Limousine, Cross Court Athletic Club, Corner Drug, Frenchy's Liquors, Pike Heating & Air Conditioning, Wilkinson International, Inc., & Waste Management.

Upcoming Events